ISHS Acta Horticulturae 841: II International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables: FAVHEALTH 2007
ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN VIVO: THE CASE FOR REGULAR CONSUMPTION OF ANTIOXIDANT RICH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES |
| Author: | R.L. Prior |
| Keywords: | oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORACFL), blueberries, grapes, kiwifruit, strawberry, cherry, antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress |
| Abstract:
Since metabolism of energy is a major source of reactive oxygen species, the quantity of dietary antioxidants needed may be related to energy consumption. Antioxidant status in vivo can be altered by diet, but the postprandial response is dependent upon factors such as 1) antioxidant capacity (AOC) of food, 2) amount consumed, 3) type of phytochemicals and their content in the foods, 4) absorption/metabolism of the dietary antioxidants in the body and 5) the fructose content particularly of fruits and berries. The ability of different foods to prevent postprandial oxidative stress varies due to these and perhaps other factors. We have demonstrated that consumption of certain berries and fruits, such as blueberries, mixed grape and kiwifruit, was associated with an increased plasma AOC in the postprandial state, and consumption of an energy source of macronutrients containing no antioxidants was associated with a decline in plasma AOC. High antioxidant berries, which have high levels of anthocyanins, are not as effective in vivo as antioxidants as some other foods, apparently because of the poor stability and/or absorption of anthocyanins. In order to prevent periods of postprandial oxidative stress, increased consumption of high antioxidant foods is needed, and perhaps more important, antioxidant containing foods need to be consumed in conjunction with carbohydrate and other sources of energy in each meal. | |
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